Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22217, John Dougless, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Penn.
Douglas, John or Douglass
S. 22 2/17
CONTENTS

Set. Hon. W. H. Witte Mar 4/54
Pennsylvania 25.740
John Douglass
of Lancaster, Co. in the State of Penn a who was a Pr in the Company command by Captain Walfar of the Reg t command by Col. Cunningham in the - 1 st Pennsylvania Key Stone Battery -
1 Yr 3 Mo Pr $ 50.00
Inscribed on the Roll of - Pennsylvania at the rate of 50. Dollars - each per ann to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Dec r and sent to 1833 San d Dale Esq., Lancaster. Pa.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 125.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mch '34 - 25.00
$ 150.00
Revolutionary Claim, Apt June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. V. Sprague Clerk Book C Vol. 5 Page 14
✓

State of Pennsylvania Lancaster County ss
On this fifteenth day of April 1833 personally appeared in open court before Walter Franklin Esq. President and his associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County now sitting, John Douglass a resident of Strasburg Lancaster County State of Pennsylvania, aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated.
I was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country about the year 1774 and settled myself in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania
I recollect of seeing my age recorded in my grandfathers bible, but do not know whether it is now in existence.
In the month of June, 1776 I volunteered in Captain Watson's company of riflemen at Lancaster. We marched to Philadelphia and thence to New York and in the month of August was in the Battle at Long Island, in which battle 1/2 of our company were killed and wounded. After the battle of Long Island we marched to Bellis's Mills, and were there drafted into Capt n Steels Company, and marched to White Plains where we were in battle in the month of October we were then marched down the North River and crossed it at Kings ferry, we halted a short time at Fort Lee and then marched to Trenton, where we took nine hundred Hessian prisoners in battle.
We put them in the Burlington Jail and then had a battle with Corn Wallace at Princeton early in the month of January 1777.
We then marched our Hessian prisoners to

to Lancaster in Penn a where we arrived early in the month perhaps the 10 th of January. During this time we were in Col n Conynghams Regiment Gen l Heards brigade. Though the flying camp lasted but six months, yet at the request of Gen l Washington we staid some time longer, making in this tour about seven Months.
In the summer of 1777 I joined Capt n Scotts Co. of riflemen in Col n Porters Regiment we were joined to Gen l Potters Brigade, was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and several skirmishes; in this tour I served four months.
In the Spring of 1778 I joined Captain Potters Company, in Col n Sunclaps Regiment we were marched from Lancaster to Philadelphia from thence crossed the Delaware River in the direction of Trenton and was in the Rear Guard at the battle of Monmouth, but I was not in the engagement but served my two months out.
In the fall of the year 1781 I served two months in Captain Whites Company guarding prisoners at Lancaster.
I belong to Aitarara Meeting but we have now no clergyman nor have we for some time past.
That I have no documentary evidence of my service and I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service except Daniel Morrison Esq r and George Root the latter of whom, is too old and infirm to come to Court or go before a magistrate.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
John Goveless
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the 15 th day of April 1833 Attest Chas. Beckman Prothon.

I Daniel Morrison of Drumore Township Lancaster County hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with John Douglass who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that I believe him to be eighty four years of age, that in the month of June 1776 John Douglass the applicant within named volunteered under Captain James Watson, in what was termed the flying camp, James Conyngham Colonel. commanded. I belonged to the same Camp and know him to have served six months, the time for which he agreed, at the end of this term I then returned home, and believe he served one month longer at the special request of Genl. Washington, towards the latter part of our term William Steel became our captain, From the report of the neighbourhood I believe he served all the time as within stated in his declaration.
Daniel Morrison,
Sworn and subscribed in open Court April 15 th 1833 -
Attest Albert Ackerman Prothon.
I David Black residing in Martick Township Lancaster County hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with John Douglass who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be eighty four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier and that after the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion, having frequently heard my father in his lifetime say that said Douglass had served one or more tours in the same regiment with him.
David Black
Sworn & Subscribed before me Samuel Dale a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County on this eighth day of May A.D. 1833 No Court being then in Session in said County And I do Certify that the above deponent David Black is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Sam. Dale

I John Herr a clergyman residing in Strasburgh township Lancaster County hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with John Douglass, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be eighty four years of age, that he is repu- ted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed this first day of June A.D. 1833. before me a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County, no court being then in session in said County. And further I certify that it appeared to me that John Herr who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in Strasburg Township and that his statement is entitled to credit
John Herr
Saml Dale
And the said Court do hereby declare their opin- ion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And further the said Court do certify that Daniel Morrison Esq. who has signed the preceding Certificate is a resident in Drumore Township and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Walter Franklin
Saml Dale
I Christian Bachman Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Douglass for a pension. And I further certify that Samuel Dale Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits of David Black and John Herr were made, was at the time, and now is one of the Judges of said Court of Common Pleas duly Commissioned and qualified; and that the signatures annexed are his genuine signatures —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Lancaster this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord 1833
Christ. Bachman Proth.
John Douglass 25594

N o 25594
John Douglass Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Adm 1. year $3 Monthly
$50.00
Return
by
Jan
Saml Dals Lancaster Penn a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov 12 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Douglass Lancaster County Pennsylvania
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol. June 1776 about 7 - - private Cap Watson, Cap Steel Col Congingham, Gd. Hand 84 years Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Traditional evidence Four Witness paper correct   Served 1777 is stated not stated - - " Cap Scott, Col Porter   Served 1778 - 2 - " Cap Patten, Col Dunlop   Served 1781 - 2 - " Cap White Battle at Long Island, White Plains - Trenton - Princeton Brandywine, German Town,  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Pension Office Dec 2 1833
John George Roak alias Nerle, is not certified to be a credible witness see note of

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this            day of            personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of            in the county of            and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)            , with            and served in the            (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I            of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of            &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the            and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with            , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this            day of            &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
All the evidence within his reach must be produced

Revolution
22217 INVALID.
File No. 22,217
John Douglas Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 32
Index — Vol. 2 , Page 115
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Washington Oct 26 1854
L P Waldo Esq
Sir
Will you be good enough to furnish me with the information requested by my correspondent whose letter I enclose
Yours sincerely
W. H. W. W.
Please return the letter with the answer

9
FREE
J L Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions City Washington
Application Corrected

Lancaster Dec 7 th 1833
J L Edwards Esq
The enclosed application of John Douglass, was returned to me on account Squire McCreary, having omitted to certify to the credibility of J G Roab. I am not acquainted with Roab, have never seen him, but finding M Brennan his neighbor, in town, and J Ferron who had lived near him, & who are both respectable men, I had their affirmations taken, who say they would believe him on oath.
I done this without sending for Douglass who lives 8 miles from me knowing that it cost him the promise of pay for a man and horse two days to get the deposition of Roab, in addition to all the cost & trouble he had been at on procuring the others heretofore, and knowing that he has no money not even to pay for another certificate of the Probst. That I who have administered the affirmations am a judge of the Court
Jam D Ale

Lancaster City SS
Personally appeared before me the undersigned John Douglass who being duly sworn, deposeth and says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; In the flying camp six months and one month afterwards by order of General Washington before I was discharged as a private, For four months in Captain Scotts company of Riflemen as a private. For two months in Captain Pattens Company as a private, and for two months in Captain Whites company as a private, and for such service I claim a pension.
John Douglass
Sworn & Subscribed before me an Alderman in and for the city of Lan- caster this 20 th day of December A.D. 1833.
Saml. Dale
Lancaster County SS
Before me William McQuary a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John George Roab alias John George Earl of Hartick Fellowship in said County who being sworn according to Law doth depose and say That he is well acquainted with John Douglass the foregoing applicant for a Pension that he remembers of his serving in the Captain Watson and Captain Steels rifle companies And also in Capt s Scotts and Capt s Patton company in the Revolutionary War, and further saith not.
John George Roab
Sworn and subscribed this 22 nd day of November 1833. Before me,
William McQuary, Justice of the Peace.

Melchior Bachman Notary of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County do hereby certify that Samuel Dale Esquire before whom the within affidavit of John Douglass was made is an Alderman for the City of Lancaster in said County duly Commissioned and qualified, and that William M'Kearny Esquire before whom the within affidavit of John George Roab was made is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Lancaster duly Commissioned and qualified; and that the signatures of the said Samuel Dale Esquire and the said William M'Kearny Esquire annexed to the respective affidavits are their genuine signatures —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Lancaster this 23 rd day of November A. D. 1833.
M c Kearny Esquire Notary
Lancaster City ss
Before me Samuel Dale one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County came Melchior Breneman of Martick Township said County who on his oath saith that I have been acquainted with the within named John George Roab alias Deal for about twenty years past and from that knowledge & acquaintance I would believe him on oath, He is old, lame, and infirm, unable to come to Lancaster City.
Melchior Breneman
Affirmed & subscribed before me Dec: 5 th 1833.
Sam d Dale
At the same day and at the same place personally came Joseph Frenon of the City of Lancaster who on his oath saith, I have been the acquainted with the above named John George Roab alias Deal for about ten years, and I would believe him on his oath. And I believe that what he has sworn to within, is true.
Affirmed & subscribed before me Dec: 5 th 1833.
Joseph Frenon
Sam d Dale